WEEK 1 of the 2024 NFL season was one to forget for the Carolina Panthers.
The first game under newly appointed head coach Dave Canales, the Panthers were dismantled by the New Orleans Saints, 47-10.
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As if the result alone wasn’t bad enough, when looking back at the game, some fans have noticed a hugely embarrassing play from Carolina’s defense.
With just under three to go in the first quarter, New Orleans was on the attack looking to extend their 10-0 lead.
Lined up at the Panthers’ 22-yard line on second and 10, Saints quarterback Derek Carr handed the ball off to running back Alvin Kamara who bolted outside to the left.
Meanwhile, Carolina’s defense was chasing shadows, with three defenders appearing to run into one another.
The trio fell one by one in a domino-like fashion as Kamara ran straight past them before being tackled at the five-yard line.
Just two plays later, Carr would complete a touchdown pass to Foster Moreau.
The hilarious defensive mishap has since spread around X, prompting a plethora of responses from NFL fans – some more sympathetic than others.
“I have never seen anything like this,” one comment read.
“How is this even possible?” asked a second.
“The domino effect of a bad team,” added a third.
While a fourth predicted, “Panthers are getting the #1 draft pick again.”
Carr wound up passing for 200 yards and three touchdowns against Carolina’s defense.
As for the Panthers’ run defense, they also had a game to forget, allowing Kamara and Co. to total 180 yards and two scores on the ground.
By comparison, Carolina’s second-year quarterback Bryce Young managed just 161 passing yards, no touchdowns, and two picks.
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Their run game didn’t fare well either, totaling 58 yards and one score.
If this wasn’t bad enough, the Panthers also lost Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who went down with a knee injury on Sunday.
He was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday.
Thankfully for Carolina, they won’t have to wait long to attempt to get their season back on track, with the Los Angeles Chargers heading for Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
The Chargers are 1-0 entering Week 2, having taken down the Las Vegas Raiders 22-10 in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s debut since moving from Michigan.
Star of the show for Los Angeles was running back JK Dobbins who managed 135 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries.
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